Selective Mutism and the Big Bang Theory
While checking some information online that had been going through my head for most of the morning, I came across a reference to the TV programme "The Big Bang Theory". I'd seen a few episodes of it now and then, however never really got into watching it regularly.
I'd been thinking about a friend of a friend of a friend who has a child with hearing problems. I'd never met the child and only ever met his mother twice, however we talked about the hearing problems when we met due to my background in (studying) Early Childhood Education. We talked about possible causes both physical and psychological and she then went on with her life and I with mine. It's a while ago by now, however something I read recently reminded me of this woman and her child.
Not knowing much about either the mother or the son and having no idea as to whether the hearing problems were physical or psychological, we only discussed general options. I decided that to satisfy my curiosity I'd assume the problem was psychological and try looking for causes. How would I talk to this mother if I was a professional - say a counsellor, psychologist or psychiatrist?
Having no idea if there is an official classification for selective hearing or for something like blocking out sounds due to emotional problems or instabilities, I decided to start my search somewhere familiar and check out information about people who don't speak, for whatever reason. One of the reasons given was that they may have selective mutism. Following this line of enquiry, I came across a pop-culture example of a character from the "Big Bang Theory" TV show who had trouble talking to girls and could only do so after drinking alcohol. One episode was mentioned in which the four geeks meet Summer Glau who plays a Terminator named Cameron in Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. The geek with the girl problem has a beer and goes to talk to Summer. When he finds out the beer is actually alcohol-free, he immediately shuts up and stops talking.
I watched the episode in question and quite enjoyed it. Read up on the series and checked a list of episodes and figured I'd watch a few more. One of the main characters is described as having many personality traits that people with Asperger's Syndrome also have. Again - really interesting.
So while I now have another pop-culture example of someone with (traits of) Asperger's to study and learn about and from, I've also realised that maybe "The Big Bang Theory" really is more fun and entertaining than I'd first given it credit for. And while I may not understand all the science jokes, I really shouldn't have any problems with the science fiction jokes as I'm quite a geek / nerd myself! Double bonus for sure!
